
inventive faculties, previously dormant,
were aroused to unheard-of activity, to in-
vent, to discover, to blaze new trails, to
inaugurate a new civilization. In every field
of human attainment behold the marvelous
transformation!
In the infinite plan of God all this was
scheduled and foretold two and a half mil-
lenniums ago. , God declared that, in -the
time of the end, knowledge would be in-
creased; and when the hour was struck, the
dawn of a new day sent its thrill around
the globe. Today wheels and machines turn
so rapidly that man may now accomplish
more or travel farther in a few days than
he was formerly able to do in a lifetime.
10.
How has the march of modern
science facilitated the proclamation
of the gospel?
ANSWER: In the marvelous inventions of
this age the true Christian discerns a divine
purpose for speeding the good news of
Christ's return to "every nation, and kin-
dred, and tongue, and people." The rail-
way, the steamship, the automobile, the
airplane, the printing press, the radio and
television, are seen as God-given agencies
by which the gospel may be speedily carried
to the inhabitants of the entire world. See
Rom. 9:28.
The Sign of Signs
11.
What stupendous task is com-
mitted to the people of God? When
this work is completed, what will
take place? Matt. 24:14.
NoTE.—The length of time required to
finish the work of God is not disclosed; but
if Jonah could warn mighty Nineveh by a
few days' effort; if King Ahasuerus, with
the means at his command, could, in nine
months, promulgate an edict for all people
throughout one hundred twenty-seven prov-
inces scatterd from India to Ethiopia, we
are confident that Omnipotent Power will
speedily bring the gospel program to a tri-
umphant close. This is the world's greatest,
grandest enterprise; and the promise is sure:
"He will finish the work, and cut it short
in righteousness."
12.
What vital information rests
alone in God's keeping? Matt. 24:36;
Acts 1:7.
NOTE.—"The day and the hour of His
coming Christ has not revealed. He stated
plainly to His disciples that He Himself
could not make known the day or the hour
of His second appearing. Had He been at
liberty to reveal this, why need He have
exhorted them to maintain an attitude of
constant expectancy? There are those who
claim to know the very day and hour of
our Lord's appearing. Very earnest are they
in mapping out the future. But the Lord
has warned them off the ground they oc-
cupy. The exact time of the second coming
of the Son of man is God's mystery."—
The Desire of Ages,
pages 632, 633.
13.
Lest any be taken by surprise,
what impressive warning and appeal
did Christ give? Luke 21:34-36.
NOTE. "The crisis is stealing gradually
upon us. The sun shines in the heavens,
passing over its usual round, and the heav-
ens still declare the glory of God. Men are
still eating and drinking, planting and build-
ing, marrying, and giving in marriage. Mer-
chants are still buying and selling. Men are
jostling one against another, contending
for the highest place. Pleasure lovers are
still crowding to theaters, horse races, gam-
bling hells. The highest excitement prevails,
yet probation's hour is fast closing, and
every case is about to be eternally decided.
. . . Solemnly there come to us down
through the centuries the warning words of
our Lord froin the Mount of Olives: 'Take
heed to yourselves, lest at any time your
hearts be overcharged with surfeiting, and
drunkenness, and cares of this life, and so
that day come upon you unawares.'
"—
The Desire of Ages,
page 636.
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